Labelling devices

ABSTRACT

1. A dielectric lamina formed from a dielectric composition, said composition comprising: (a) about 60-40% of weight of a lead barium borosilicate glass binder having an average particle size of about 1.0-9.0 microns which is useful as a dielectric binder material in microelectronic devices and which is capable of being substantially saturated by a ceramic powder; and (b) about 60-40% by weight of a ceramic powder selected from the group consisting of ZrO2, Al2O3, TiO2, the zirconium silicates, and devitrified glass particles, and having an average particle size of about 1-10 microns; the amount and particle size of said glass binder and ceramic powder being correlated such that the ceramic powder substantially saturates the glass binder in that insufficient glass binder remains in unsaturated form to wet the surfaces of a solderable conductor when said conductor is heat-sealed thereto at about at least the temperature at which the dielectric composition is fired and the dielectric lamina formed from said composition is substantially free from pinholes and cracks, said dielectric lamina exhibiting a dielectric constant of about 4-7 at a 2 mil thickness, and a dielectric strength of greater than about 1000 volts/mil, when said lamina is formed by firing it at a temperature of 800-1000 degree C. for about 5-15 minutes.

Nov. 5, 1974 w LEC 3,846,221

LABELLING DEVICES Filed June 25, 1973 United States Patent Office 3,846,221 Patented Nov. 5, 1974 3,846,221 LABELLING DEVICES Josef W. Golec, Boston, England, assignor to Norprinl Limited, Boston Lincolnshire, England Filed June 25, 1973, Ser. No. 373,038 Claims priority, application Great Britain, June 30, 1972, 30,660/ 72 Int. Cl. 1332b 5/16, 5/18 U.S. Cl. 161-159 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pressure-applying member comprises resilient substrate means and a contact surface of the substrate means for applying the required pressure to an article, and a plurality balls adhered to the contact surface by an adhesive which remains permanently flexible.

The present invention relates to labelling devices, and more particularly to pressure-applying members for use in such devices.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pressure-applying member comprising a resilient substrate and a contact surface for applying the required pressure to an article through the intermediary of a plurality balls adhered to the surface by an adhesive which remains permanently flexible.

Further according to the present invention, there is provided a pressure-applying member comprising a resilient substrate and balls adhered to a pressure contact surface of the substrate.

One embodiment of a pressure-applying member in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing the sole Figure of which is a perspective view of the member.

A pressure-applying member 10 of cylindrical form for use in a labelling device comprises a cylindrical pad 12 of foamed rubber, foamed plastics or other resilient material carrying a single layer of closely-packed, randomlyspaced, glass balls 14 on its working or contact surface. The foamed plastics or rubber should have a pore size compatible with the size of balls selected, i.e. the balls should not become embedded in the surface of the substrate or alternatively the surface should have a nonporous skin. Further the material should be unaffected by the adhesive used and be sufficiently flexible to follow contours of articles to receive labels.

The glass balls have a diameter in the range 0.5 to 2.00 and are secured to the pad by means of an adhesive, for example that sold under the registered trademark Evostik. The adhesive selected should provide a strong adhesive bond but remain permanently flexible.

A tubular shaft 16 preferably of aluminium is fitted within the pad 12 and carries at each end an oil-impregnated bush 18 (only one shown) which bushes serve to mount the member for rotation.

Preferably the pad 12 is Rubozote type G400 and is supplied by Forest Rubber Limited of England.

The glass balls are preferably solid, have a diameter in the range 1.225-1.30 mm., are manufactured by Englass Limited and marketed under the trade name Ballotine. These glass balls have a silicone coating.

The pressure-applying pad is initially adhered to the shaft 16 which has previously been fitted with the bushes 18. The cylindrical pad is then coated with a thin layer of adhesive and rolled once through a tray of glass balls 14. After a setting time appropriate to the adhesive used, the pressure-applying member is ready for fitting in a labelling device.

In use, the applicator serves to press labels, discharged from a labelling device, and coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, for example, on to articles to be labelled; the applicator is traversed across the exposed face of each label to ensure adherence of the label over its entire area.

The glass balls on the working surface of the applicator impart a long working life thereto and will not smudge any inked indicia applied to the exposed surface of the label, particularly, as is preferred, if the balls have a coating of a silicone. This non-smudging property is particularly important when the member is incorporated in a label-applying device, in which a label is printed and dispensed in a single cycle of the device as disclosed in our copending cognated Applications 39,850/71 and 4,305/ 72.

I claim:

1. A pressure-applying member comprising resilient substrate means and a contact surface of the substrate means for applying the required pressure to an article, and

a plurality balls adhered to the contact surface by an adhesive which remains permanently flexible.

2. A member according to claim 1, wherein the balls are of glass.

3. A member according to claim 1, wherein the balls are of steel.

4. A member according to claim 2, wherein the balls each have a diameter in the range 0.5 mm. to 2.0 mm.

5. A member according to claim 3, wherein the balls each have a diameter in the range 0.5 mm. to 2.0 mm.

6. A member according to claim 1, wherein the balls are silicone coated.

7. A member according to claim 1, wherein the resilient substrate is a foamed material.

8. A member according to claim 7, wherein the substrate is selected from the group foamed rubber and a foamed plastics material. I

9. A member according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has a cylindrical surface.

10. A member according to claim 1, wherein the balls are adhered to the contact surface by an adhesive comprising a synthetic rubber blended with a resin in a solvent.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,700,541 10/1972 Shrimpton et al. 161-162 3,778,241 12/1973 Winter et al. 161-l62 WILLIAM J. VAN BALEN, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

l6l160, 162, 168, Digest 5; l56-582 

1. A dielectric lamina formed from a dielectric composition, said composition comprising: (a) about 60-40% of weight of a lead barium borosilicate glass binder having an average particle size of about 1.0-9.0 microns which is useful as a dielectric binder material in microelectronic devices and which is capable of being substantially saturated by a ceramic powder; and (b) about 60-40% by weight of a ceramic powder selected from the group consisting of ZrO2, Al2O3, TiO2, the zirconium silicates, and devitrified glass particles, and having an average particle size of about 1-10 microns; the amount and particle size of said glass binder and ceramic powder being correlated such that the ceramic powder substantially saturates the glass binder in that insufficient glass binder remains in unsaturated form to wet the surfaces of a solderable conductor when said conductor is heat-sealed thereto at about at least the temperature at which the dielectric composition is fired and the dielectric lamina formed from said composition is substantially free from pinholes and cracks, said dielectric lamina exhibiting a dielectric constant of about 4-7 at a 2 mil thickness, and a dielectric strength of greater than about 1000 volts/mil, when said lamina is formed by firing it at a temperature of 800-1000 degree C. for about 5-15 minutes. 